The surrounding officials stood by, their faces respectful and beaming with bright smiles, watching the two Two-Thousand-Picul officials chat.
As for joining their conversation, they simply weren't qualified.
Lord Guo Yun smiled and invited him!
"General Liu, please come inside. I have already arranged a banquet to welcome you."
Liu Jin nodded slightly and followed Lord Guo Yun, riding in a carriage towards the city.
Looking at the common people on both sides of the street, coming and going, with small vendors occasionally hawking their wares, it presented a scene of prosperity.
He couldn't help but praise!
"Since I entered Henan, the common people have lived in peace and contentment. I have never seen mountain bandits or roving brigands. Along the way, I often heard the common people praise Lord Guo for his care and love for them. Seeing this prosperous scene today, it is by no means an exaggeration."
Lord Guo Yun heard this flattery and smiled, clearly enjoying it. He stroked his beard and humbly said!
"General, you flatter me. Henan Commandery is naturally prosperous and wealthy, being close to the capital Luoyang. It is not solely my achievement."
"Moreover, as the Prefect of Henan, managing hundreds of thousands of common people under my rule, it is my duty to suppress bandits, bring peace to the people, and maintain order in the region. This is merely part of my job and not worth mentioning."
Liu Jin smiled and waved his hand!
"Lord Guo, you are mistaken. There are countless prosperous commanderies in the world, yet how many are like Henan Commandery, free from rampant bandits and with common people living in peace and contentment?"
"This alone demonstrates Lord Guo's capability, so there's no need for modesty."
Lord Guo Yun nodded upon hearing this. He didn't continue to be modest, as that might make Liu Jin think he was being insincere.
Henan Commandery's stability was indeed largely due to his diligent efforts in governing the region and eliminating bandits.
The carriage quickly stopped at the entrance of the Prefect's Mansion.
As the two stepped out of the carriage, Lord Guo Yun extended his hand and invited!
"General Liu, please come inside."
Liu Jin nodded and led the few people behind him inside.
They soon arrived in the main hall, where Lord Guo Yun sat in the seat of honor.
Liu Jin sat in the seat below him, while Guan Yu, Zhao Teng, Min Chun, Li Li, and others took their places to the side. There were also officials from the commandery, and the entire hall was instantly filled with twenty to thirty people.
Lord Guo Yun raised his wine cup and politely said!
"General, I have only prepared some simple food and drink for your arrival today. I hope you don't mind."
Liu Jin picked up the wine cup from the table and also clasped his hands with a smile!
"Lord Guo, you are too kind."
So everyone drank up and occasionally began to chat.
After a few cups of wine, Lord Guo Yun burped and asked!
"General Liu, your trip to Luoyang must be to receive the imperial court's commendation, right?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin did not conceal the matter. After all, with the Yellow Turban Rebellion pacified, any general with significant achievements would generally head to Luoyang to receive their rewards.
He said with a smile!
"My trip to Luoyang is indeed due to a summons from the imperial court, and it should be related to commendations."
Lord Guo Yun's eyes showed a hint of envy upon hearing this.
To be summoned to the capital by the imperial court meant at least a title of marquis or general.
For the young Liu Jin to reach this level, his future was indeed boundless.
If he continued to develop like this, he might very well become a pillar of the nation in the future. If he could gain the emperor's trust, he might even become the next Champion Marquis.
He began to regard Liu Jin with even greater importance in his heart. This person, if not befriended, at least should not be offended.
Lord Guo Yun raised his wine cup and continued to drink heartily with Liu Jin, occasionally showing joyful smiles. Their relationship quickly warmed, and they began to address each other as 'Old Brother.'
After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes!
Lord Guo Yun's face was slightly flushed, and he was a little tipsy. His hearty voice came through!
"Old Brother Liu, since you're heading to Luoyang, could you do me a favor and take someone with you?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin quickly patted his chest and said with a smile!
"Old Brother Guo, what are you talking about? Let alone one person, even if it's a hundred people, as long as Old Brother Guo asks, I will naturally agree."
Lord Guo Yun laughed heartily upon hearing this, his tone becoming even more forthright!
"Good!"
"Old Brother Liu is truly a man of character; I like him very much."
"I only regret not having met Old Brother Liu sooner. Otherwise, you and I would surely have become fast friends despite our age difference."
Liu Jin heard this and said with a smile!
"No worries, Old Brother Guo. We are both in our prime, so it's not too late to meet now."
Lord Guo Yun grinned widely!
"Hahaha!"
"Old Brother Liu is right."
Soon, the banquet gradually ended, and Liu Jin and his group were arranged to stay in the Prefect's Mansion.
The next morning!
At the city gate of Henan Commandery, officials of all ranks gathered. Lord Guo Yun sighed with emotion!
"Alas!"
"Yesterday, I had a delightful chat with you, my brother, but time is short, and you must go to Luoyang to receive your title. We didn't get to spend a few more days together."
Liu Jin chuckled, politely saying!
"It's alright, Old Brother. We will naturally meet again in the future, and then we'll have ample time to talk."
Lord Guo Yun nodded, then immediately brought out a young man who had just come of age from behind him.
He said with a smile!
"My brother, this is my eldest son, Guo Huai. He just turned ten this year and has only just tied his hair, not yet undergone the capping ceremony."
"He is going to Luoyang to study, and with the recommendation of the elders in our clan, he hopes to become a disciple of the great scholar Zheng Xuan, so his future official career will be smoother."
Upon hearing the name Guo Huai, Liu Jin's eyes slightly widened in surprise.
He looked at the slender boy in front of him, dressed in a brocade robe, with his hair tied up and a fair complexion.
This was the famous Guo Huai of later generations! This man was a renowned general of Cao Wei, holding the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the same status as the Three Ducal Ministers. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand General.
He was not only able to thwart Zhuge Liang's northern expeditions but also defeated Jiang Wei several times, truly a pillar of Cao Wei.
However, this boy in front of him was still young, just a ten-year-old child, naturally without the demeanor of the Cao Wei Grand General of later generations.
Lord Guo Yun immediately nudged Guo Huai and sternly said!
"Go and greet your Uncle Liu! You must be obedient on the journey and not cause any trouble."
"After arriving in Luoyang, you must become a disciple of Zheng Xuan. If you dare to be mischievous or not study diligently, just wait until your old man gets his hands on you when you return."
Guo Huai's body trembled slightly upon hearing his father's stern words, and he looked frightened.
However, a hint of shrewdness flickered in his large eyes.
He cupped his fists and respectfully said!
"This junior, Guo Huai, greets Uncle Liu."
Liu Jin laughed heartily upon hearing this, reaching out to pat the bright-eyed Guo Huai. He had already begun to scheme in his mind.
When this boy grew up, he definitely had to recruit him. He was a rare and talented commander, so he naturally couldn't miss this opportunity.
Moreover, Guo Huai lived to be seventy or eighty, longer than ordinary generals. He lived for another ten years, even witnessing the fall of Cao Wei, his life spanning the entire Three Kingdoms period.
After giving his warning, Lord Guo Yun turned back to Liu Jin with a smile and said!
"My brother, my eldest son has a mischievous nature; he doesn't much like to study and loves to play. Please take good care of him on the journey."
